Half my doodle is missing!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Don't worry--he isn't hurt, but Rio sure looks different today! Over the past few months, as Rio's coat started to go through the dreaded puppy-to-adult coat transition, I was busy raising 8 puppies. Added to that was the fact that the breeder and I were letting the coat grow out for a "photo shoot" for her website (he will be a stud dog if he passes his health tests). His hair was about 5 inches long. So....mats started to form. I combed when i could, but each day I would feel another huge one under there and vowed to get him cleaned up as soon as the pups left. Well, I still have two pups here that leave in a few days, but I could wait no longer. He was a MESS and the photoshoot was over....see how pretty he looks? You could never tell that under all this hair there were giant blobs of matted fur.

I took my time and did one hour sessions, cutting off some mats, picking and prodding at others while Rio cried and carried on like the big baby that he is. (He has no pain tolerance at all!) So, I was very gentle and went slowly--i just didn't want to shave him, especially with cold winter weather coming! I managed to get the body done the first day, but with his big fluffy legs he looked like a clydesdale or a "My Little Pony" doll.

Finally after three sessions over three days, he was all done and had a bath. I have removed hundreds of mats--he looks pretty strange (and so tiny!), but at least he is not naked! I can tell that he feels better too. We had snow today and he was running around in it with his mom.

Now, I can let it all grow back and I had better keep combing! I never want to put either of us through that again! Oh and by the way, when I was all done, I looked down and found the other half of my doodle!

[Kyoko]

Wow! Rio looks so grown up and handsome!!!

[Leslie J]

I think the highly matted super-cut is a doodle right of passage= kind of like a bark-mitzvah!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Ha.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Heehee 

[Ginny Nightingale]

A bark-mitvah!! Love that! We should have a BIG party!! It is amazing how fast they become adults--where did that little puppy go??

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Rio looks awesome either way!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

He looks great. I started on Starlit last Sunday night. I have not finished.  She is at the Big Head-little Body look so I related the to 3-day haircut.

They do love the sensation of having the hair missing.  So happy and silly.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Rio has such beautiful coloring whether he is short or long, he is so handsome.

[BG and Gavin]

Love that salt and pepper feather duster of a tail!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Rio looks wonderful either way!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Ha Ha...he looks so cute.  At first I thought the second picture was the final result.  Glad to see you kept going and evened him out!  He looks adorable and very happy.  I love the snow picture of him running next to Lyric

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Rio looks great either way, but I bet he sure feels better now. Love all the pictures!!